Retinol Bakuchiol Bubble Toner
Ingredients
aqua, butylene glycol, propanediol, glycerin, 1, 2-hexanediol, niacinamide, c12-14 pareth-12, methylpropanediol, sucrose laurate, ethylhexylglycerin, sodium citrate, sodium acrylic acid/ma copolymer, hydrogenated lecithin, potentilla anserina extract, citric acid, adenosine, polyquaternium-51, avena sativa kernel extract, cynara scolymus leaf extract, disodium edta, beta-glucan, camellia sinensis leaf water, xanthan gum, bakuchiol, caprylyl glycol, retinol, glycine soja oil, sodium hyaluronate, allantoin, arginine, trehalose, retinal, sucrose distearate, caprylic/capric triglyceride, hydroxypropyl cyclodextrin, chamomilla recutita flower/leaf extract, borago officinalis extract, centaurea cyanus flower extract, lavandula angustifolia flower extract, fragrance
Bubble toners might have a gimmicky reputation, but after trying this one, I think this is one of the best formats for a toner or essence.
With a traditional liquid toner, you either use a cotton pad (wasteful) or try to splash it onto your face with your hands (messy). This one comes straight out of the bottle onto the skin and spreads effortlessly. No mess, no fuss. It feels like I'm applying shaving foam to my forehead, and you can hear and feel the little bubbles popping, which is oddly satisfying. If you're into ASMR, you might particularly enjoy bubble toners.
The formula is built around humectants, with glycerin, butylene glycol and propanediol helping to attract and retain water in the skin. There's also hyaluronic acid, trehalose and beta-glucan to contribute to hydration.
Niacinamide is relatively high on the ingredient list, making it one of the more prominent actives here. It can support the skin barrier and help with uneven skin tone and texture, while allantoin and oat extract offer soothing benefits. Green tea extract adds antioxidant potential, although its presence alone doesn't tell us how much practical benefit to expect.
Then there's the retinoid combination: retinol, retinal and bakuchiol. Having all three sounds impressive, but I couldn't establish the concentrations, and they are a bit far down on the list. I wouldn't consider this a substitute for a dedicated retinoid treatment, but I also don't think it's trying to be, since the marketing focuses more on texture and pores instead of anti-aging. The formula also contains fragrance and lavender extract - at the very bottom, though, and I couldn't detect any scent while using it, but still, it's worth noting if your skin is particularly reactive.
My skin feels hydrated after applying this, and I like having that extra layer before a stronger active like retinal. I also appreciate that the formula includes retinoids, even if they're not the main event. It gives me some peace of mind about using it alongside a dedicated retinoid serum, without worrying that I'm introducing ingredients that might interfere with its absorption or unnecessarily compound irritation (unlike an exfoliating toner containing glycolic acid).
The skinclassifier also gives this a high score, and I agree with the verdict: this is a great toner for targeting texture and pores while using it withing a retinoid routine (because an exfolianting acid would be too aggressive). It also delivers the hydration I need and the bubble format makes application genuinely enjoyable and practical. Overall, this is a product that is very well formulated for its purpose.